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Yes There Is – Pool Chair Etiquette
Have you ever been the victim of Pool Chair Hogging on your vacation? Well we sure have and it appears that it is becoming more and more of a problem. Especially for those vacationing at resorts and on cruise ships.
So much so, that I read a full page article in our weekly National news magazine a short while ago. The article stirred up our past experiences with this ongoing world wide problem, and thought I would put this article together on …
Pool Chair Etiquette Tips
First, check out this short video on one person’ s experience. It shows some pool lounge chairs being Hoggedat a popular vacation resort. The video gives you a clear look at how big the problem really is!
How To Reserve Your Chair – YouTube Video
As you can see, it really is becoming a world-wide epidemic that needs to be addressed further, before all out battles take place more frequently among vacationers. In fact, the article I recently read did point out that; verbal and physical altercations are now quite frequent and widespread across the globe.
Specifically dealing with reserving your pool lounge chair with various items on them, and without even using the pool chair at all.
Wow!!
It appears the time has come that Cruise Lines, Resort Hotels and any other establishments where the use of pool chairs is at a premium, must begin to adopt strict; Pool Chair etiquette rules.
Either that, or purchase enough pool loungers to accommodate their paying guests.
Here’s a story passed on to me that was hilarious, but at the same time kind of sad. It’s about what we vacationers have to resort to, just to get that perfect pool lounge chair while on our holidays.
Cruise Ship Pool Chair Etiquette Hog Chronicles
After a few days at sea and not finding a deck chair anywhere close to the pool or in the shade for that matter, we finally had enough.
I set my ⏰ clock for 6:30 in the morning thinking no way people would be up this early, let alone out grabbing the premium loungers. I set out in total darkness and made my way to the main pool deck.
Once there I quickly realized I was almost too late – half the ⏰ chairs were already taken!
What the …?
After my late arrival, I quickly grabbed two good pool lounge chairs that will be great for our stay at poolside this fine day. I sit myself down on my prize lounger with a cup of java and marvel at the chair hogs at work.
What I was seeing was something to behold, like busy bees hard at work.
Are people really this self-centered, or has pool chair hogging become an epidemic?
There were many typical styles – men and women armed with various towels… or even children been used as “pool chair mules,” made to handle numerous heavy towels on their own without parental support!
Those poor children!!
I marveled at the inventive types, placing a single shoe or even a partial magazine? … on their selected pool lounge chair.
As if that suckers us into believing the chair is even more reserved than it would be with just a simple towel on it.
Chair Hogs Caught Red Handed
I can see a professional lounge chair hog a mile away! How you ask?
Well, because after completing their chair hog assignment, they high tail it back down to their cabin to rest after accomplishing their risky business!
These people are so good they give you a super idiotic look, as if they are the only people on the boat and that’s their personal autographed pool chair.
Then the unthinkable happened… one party slinked their way to poolside, with an enormous pile of books and towels. I reckoned around ten, but could have been more!
They started taking every decent pool lounge chair they could – one towel with one book strategically placed, as if it was almost their paid profession.
Pool Lounge Chair Hogs For Hire!
It was a sight to behold, watching pool lounge chairs being gobbled up in total darkness!
So here I sit in my comfy pool chair an hour later, admiring the many chairs with towels only occupying them. Where have all the people gone?
I’m not alone however; there are 2 or 3 others that perhaps are aware of pool chair etiquette.
These reserved chairs stayed mostly empty for several hours. Go figure!
It is unfortunate, especially in the Cruise Line Industry, where recreational staff and many others are at pool side all day, yet still do not publicize in their daily cabin bulletins or at poolside to educate and enforce pool chair etiquette.
Especially when these pool lounge chairs are at a premium!
Perhaps I can get a job as a – Pool Chair Policeman in my retired years and Cruise for Free!
Now there’s an idea!
Pool Chair Etiquette – Update:
Carnival Cruise Lines is the latest to announce it will make every effort to put the brakes on – chair hoggers. Hats off to Carnival for finally taking the initiative in stopping these inconsiderate people.
Hopefully all cruise lines and all inclusive resorts will follow their direction and policies!
Pool Lounge Chair Rules
Pool Chair Hogs Everywhere!
Are there actually rules regarding this problem and are they simply being ignored?
Well, the answer is yes to both.
There is a common consensus and etiquette in place, but as far as I can tell in all my years of travel, I have yet to see these rules enforced. Sad but true.
Just what is the common rule regarding pool chair etiquette?
” One Hour “
The general rules of pool chair etiquette appear to be pretty universal. In all the articles I have read, pool lounge chairs should not be unoccupied and held after just; “One Hour.”
Sounds pretty reasonable to me, especially if lounge chairs are at a premium. But do you really want to put yourself in a position, that could possibly start a verbal or physical altercation with another vacationer?
I don’t think so!
Unless of course, you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort and you have just finished your 5th Free Margarita!
New Chair Lounge Rules at Mexican Resort
Are Pool Chair Etiquette Rules Made Just for Fun?
Our rooftop swimming pool
I couldn’t help but be reminded of this problem on a …
Family Holiday to Thailand
During our couple of night’s stop-over in the City of Bangkok, the hotel we booked had a lovely but small rooftop swimming pool. It was so nice to take a refreshing dip in the pool after a day sightseeing in the hot, humid and smoggy conditions!
Because the pool was small, there were only a handful of poolside lounge chairs available. When we arrived, all but one was being used, so I was left to sit at the pools edge.
No big deal, but here’s what happened!
Shortly after our arrival, one couple who had been occupying 2 lounge chairs, got up and left the pool area leaving there towels, books and a bag on the loungers.
I watched them leave and thought to myself …
“I guess they are just taking a short break or getting refreshments and will be right back.”
I certainly didn’t think they would be gone for a long period of time, as the pool was getting busy and there were no chairs available for at least 5 of us at this point.
Well, I was wrong. It was just over 1 hour, when they returned and to make matters more insulting, they both jumped in the pool and swam for a few minutes. They then dried off and left, taking all their items with them.
They didn’t even use the lounge chairs after returning!!
Had it not being for the guy looking like a champion 🥊 boxer with numerous tattoos and could probably take me down with one hand, I certainly would have removed their items after 1 hour, and would have had no problem having a discussion with them after their return.
I was feeling pretty mellow at this point after consuming 2 large Thai beers in the hot sun!
Pool Chair Etiquette – Should Rules Be Strictly Enforced
Where are all the people?
Is it our job as guests to enforce these pool rules? I think not!!
It is time this simple rule be strictly enforced world-wide and the onus should be put on Hotels, Cruise Lines and All Inclusive Resorts to enforce these rules at all times!
Either that or have enough lounge chairs to accommodate all their guests, which is simply not going to happen.
Unless of course, you are one of the lucky few who can afford to stay in luxurious ⭐ 5 plus star resorts and such.
Pool Chair Etiquette – A Few Things to Consider
Here are a few suggestions I recommend following on your next holiday.
Treat your fellow guests with respect;
Use common sense and discretion at all times;
Abide by the “One Hour Rule;”
If you see unoccupied lounge chairs for over one hour, advise Staff and see if they can resolve the problem;
If you encounter a shortage of pool chairs, let the Staff know of the problem and see if anything is being done to remedy the situation;
Ask if Staff is aware of the Universal “One Hour Rule;”
Do not get into an altercation with fellow guests over a Pool Chair. Advise staff, it is their responsibility, not yours!
If you do not receive any assistance, do contact the Hotel Manager, Cruise Director, Resort Manager or other person in charge and let them know of the problem.
Cruise Ship Chair Hogs
When you return home do voice your opinions and concerns to as many people as you possibly can. For example;
Advise Your Travel Agent;
Email or Write to the Resort or Cruise Line Directly;
Do answer surveys that Cruise Lines and Resorts send out after your holiday;
Visit Online Travel Forums and Review Websites and let others know what occurred. Trust me, Hotel Managers, Cruise Line Directors and others with top positions all read these reviews!
Above all, enjoy yourself and have a Great Vacation! After all, it’s only a Pool Chair!
Pool Chair Etiquette – Update
Having returned from a wonderful vacation in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico and having stayed at a 4 star all inclusive resort, I discovered {Pool Chair Hogging} is still in full force, at least at this resort.
Having a birds eye view from our ocean front hotel room and being an early riser myself, I was entertained on our front deck each morning, watching people scramble out to those beach loungers, as early as 6 am.
All, were placing their towels and other non valuables onto the chairs.
I have no problem with this, but what I have a problem with, is that many of those people would not show up to the beach until very late in the morning!
Come on people, what’s that all about?
Pool Chair Etiquette – Update
I counted 14 empty, reserved lounge chairs!
Well, another year has passed and yes, Pool Lounge Chair Hogging is still taking place and with fierce competition!
My wife and I enjoyed another stay at an All Inclusive Resort Hotel where we discovered first hand, that unless you were up with the 🦜 birds very early in the morning, forget about getting a lounge chair for the day!
Check out the photo below I took just after 6 am!
Security Everywhere, but no lounge chair enforcement here!
Pool Chair Etiquette – Update:
Having once again returned from a lovely vacation at an all inclusive resort in Mexico a few years later, I’m afraid to say that pool chair hogging is still doing quite well.
Once again, as the birds were chirping early in the morning, people were out in full force grabbing their favorite loungers for the day.
I actually witnessed chairs vacant for many hours with people only to return to them, to grab their things.
How inconsiderate of others.
Pool Chair Etiquette – Update:
Well, we just returned from an amazing vacation to Thailand and sure enough, pool chair hogging is still going strong!
We had a laugh at this one during our stay at a resort hotel in Phuket. This couple would be out at 6 am every morning and take the same lounge chairs by the pool. {photo above} They would then leave them for hours without using them.
Yikes!!
Time for hotel staff to pay a little more attention, especially when lounge chairs are limited for guests.
Update 2024After all these years, this problem is still going strong! Once again, my wife and I returned from a wonderful all inclusive resort beach vacation in Mexico.This I must say, takes the cake for the Ultimate Pool Chair Hogging award! lol
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